Chiyangwa defends territory, says he is the legit owner of land that was in dispute with Chinese investor

Harare – RENOWNED businessman Dr Phillip Chiyangwa on Wednesday defended his territory and told a commission of inquiry investigating Harare City Council operations that he owns land measuring 5 000 square metres that has seen him in dispute with a Chinese owned business entity JC Delonics,Express Mail Zim can report.

Chiyangwa attended the inquiry accompanied by his son and businessman Bruce along with lawyer, Itai Ndudzo.

The outspoken businessman did not mince his words and eloquently told the commission led by retired Justice Maphios Cheda that he won a court order on the land in dispute and signed a deed of settlement with council in 2015.

He said the commission whose mandate inquires council operations from 2017 to date has no business to look into how he obtained the land that was allegedly said was for road expansion by a senior council official who appeared before the commission in earlier weeks.

“My issue was expunged in 2015,” he told the inquiry

Chiyangwa was briefed by Justice Cheda that a Chinese company JC Delonics had appeared before the commission complaining that council had given a go ahead for the company to develop a car park on the land Chiyangwa says belongs to him.

JC Delonics made representations at the commission of inquiry saying it lost more than US$200 000 developing the car park before city council cancelled the lease.

Chiyangwa duly presented documents to the commission that include a court order he obtained against city council and a deed of settlement on the land in question.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa appointed a commission of inquiry into Harare affairs after residents complained of poor service delivery, corruption and land invasions by land barons in the capital.

A fortnight ago, Express Mail Zim reported about a drama that unfolded at Cosmopolitan Restaurant where JC Delonics invaded Chiyangwa’s legitimate property basing on the records that were produced and started building a car park.

The land belongs to the Chiyangwa family’s Pinnacle Holdings and Kilima Investments. The Chinese investors proceeded with the illegal development despite a court order from June 26, issued by High Court Judge Justice Mafusire.

Express Mail Zim can report that , a copy of the eviction order dated July 26 was obtained.

The directors of Pinnacle Holdings, represented by Bruce Chiyangwa, arrived to deliver bricks to the 1,400 square meter land but found their truck blocked a fortnight ago.

An eyewitness reported, “The legitimate landowners arrived , but the Chinese investors blocked their trucks. They argued that they had special privileges because they were on an investment trip in Zimbabwe. One of the directors, Vicky, even tried to throw herself in front of the truck and claimed their investment was close to Vice President Constantino Chiwenga. The investors acted arrogantly, saying they were untouchable, ” said our source.

Express Mail Zim contacted Nicholas Mandeya, a company representative who also appeared before the Commision , who denied the accusations and suggested that the claims were made by people with malicious intent. Mandeya invited verification on-site, although he admitted he was not the company spokesperson.

Despite his denial, Express Mail Zim has a board meeting extract signed by director Cao Wenjing, giving Mandeya a ‘power of attorney.’

Bruce Chiyangwa of Pinnacle Holdings declined to comment then, saying the issue is now in court.

In a related development, JC Delonics manager George Jerigodo was arrested for contempt of court and taken to Avondale Police Station for questioning. The case is being handled by his lawyers, Nyakudanga Law Chambers.

Beverly Arora, chairperson of the Alex Park Residents Association, confirmed there is a dispute involving the Chinese investors but said she could not comment further without permission from the parties involved.

Express Mail Zim visited the site a fortnight ago and found the parking lot full of vehicles, with cars parked illegally alongside the bricks delivered by Pinnacle, highlighting ongoing issues with the Chinese investors’ actions